Doctor of Psychology

Purpose

The purpose of the Doctor of Psychology program is to provide students with a biblically based training program in clinical psychology, which will equip them for ministry opportunities, private practice counseling, or service in organizational and institutional settings. This unique integration of psychology and theology will prepare students to impact individuals, families, and communities with counseling skills encompassed in a genuine spiritual environment. The program will also prepare students for the California Board of Psychology licensure exams.

Student Learning Outcomes (Program Goals)

Upon successful completion of the Doctor of Psychology program the student will be able to:

1. Apply accepted psychological research, testing and advanced therapeutic practices to mental health related issues.
2. Integrate in-depth biblical and theological knowledge to the professional practice of counseling psychology.
3. Demonstrate ability to apply multicultural awareness and competency to the practice of clinical counseling and psychology.
4. Demonstrate values such as integrity and ethical standards of conduct throughout the academic process.
5. Integrate academia to the profession of clinical psychology in whatever area of choice or expertise the student may choose.
6. Bring glory to God by being trained and equipped with Bible knowledge and clinical skills to impact lives and influence the mental health profession.
    

Program Overview

Education and training in preparation for practice as a Christian psychologist is based on the invariable truth of God’s Word and the existing body of knowledge and skills in the science of psychology. The Doctor of Psychology builds upon the educational foundation obtained during prior graduate studies. The program is comprised of 54 core units taken over nearly a four-year period, with a prerequisite of 18 units of specified master’s level biblical foundation courses. These courses include Theological Foundations of Counseling, Spiritual Disciplines, Bibliology/Hermeneutics, Crucial Issues in Ministry, Inductive Bible Study, and Anthropology, Hamartiology, Soteriology. 

Applicants who have not completed the prerequisite theology courses at Southern California Seminary are encouraged to take these courses concurrently with their doctoral courses. Students are required to complete individual and group therapy to ensure stable, mature, and emotionally healthy graduates. Students have five years from their first enrollment in PY-901 to complete their dissertation. Continuous enrollment in the dissertation sequence must be maintained once started.  

Admission Requirements

The profession of counseling psychology requires individual and interpersonal competencies in addition to academic preparation. Personal, spiritual, and emotional maturity is taken into consideration in assessing qualification for admissions.

1. Applicants are required to have a master’s degree in the field of counseling psychology or clinical social work. The master’s degree must meet the California Board of Behavioral Sciences requirements for Marriage and Family Therapy licensure. The master’s degree must be from an accredited college or university with a grade point average of 3.5 or higher.
2. Official transcripts from the college or university that awarded the baccalaureate degree and all official transcripts of post-baccalaureate studies.
3. Undergo psychological assessment at the student’s expense.
4. A three-page personal essay addressing reasons for pursuing graduate studies in psychology and brief statement about clinical experiences and counseling philosophy.
5. Submit a brief autobiography with special attention to student's spiritual journey.
6. Submit three reference forms: one from the applicant’s pastor, one from a professional that is familiar with the applicant’s clinical experience, and the third from a personal friend who has known the applicant for at least one year. The forms can be found in the application package.
7. Complete a personal interview with the Dean of Behavioral Sciences and Southern California Seminary staff.
8. Submit the completed application and accompanying forms. A nonrefundable application fee must be sent to Southern California Seminary with the application.

Graduation Requirements

1. Complete 54 units of advanced psychology courses, biblical integration, dissertation, and internship requirements with a minimum GPA of 3.5.
2. Complete the 18 unit prerequisite of master’s level Biblical foundation courses. These courses may be taken prior to or concurrently with the doctoral studies.
3. Complete and demonstrate mastery of research in a specific clinical psychology topic. The capstone requirements in the Psy.D. program include the dissertation and its oral defense before the doctoral committee and other invited clinicians and professionals.
4. Complete 500 pre-doctoral internship hours prior to graduation. Students may complete a maximum of 1500 hours prior to graduation. Students in training must work at an approved site under qualified supervisors.
5. If recommended by department faculty, a student will need to successfully complete RS-502, Graduate Research and Writing in APA style.
6. Submit a petition to graduate to the Registrar by the deadline in the Academic Calendar.
7. Settle all financial obligations to SCS.
8. Be recommended for the Psy.D. degree by the faculty based on demonstrated moral integrity.

Curriculum

All courses are worth 3 units unless otherwise indicated.

Advanced Psychology Core - 24 units

PY-801 Psychodiagnostics and Assessment
PY-803 Advanced Therapeutic Interventions
PY-807 Advanced Psychological Testing
PY-809 Advanced Physiological Psychology
PY-811 Psychosocial Basis of Behavior
PY-813 Advanced Legal and Professional Practices
PY-815 Crises response and intervention techniques
PY-817 Principles and Practices in Case Supervision

Biblical Integration - 3 units

PY-781 Systems of Integration and Intervention

Research & Dissertation - 15 units

PY-805 Dissertation Research and Statistical Methodology I
PY-905 Dissertation Research and Statistical Methodology II
PY-901 Dissertation Project I (trimester)
PY-902 Dissertation Project II (trimester)
PY-903 Dissertation Project III (trimester)

Doctoral Internship - 12 units

PY-911 Doctoral Internship I
PY-912 Doctoral Internship II
PY-913 Doctoral Internship III
PY-914 Doctoral Internship IV

The Board of Psychology will accept up to 1,500 pre-doctoral hours toward licensure as a psychologist. The remaining 1,500 hours would be gained after earning the Doctor of Psychology degree. SCS requires a minimum of 500 hours of supervised professional experience. For these hours to qualify for graduation, the internship site must be approved by SCS and meet the requirements of SPE as detailed by the CA Board of Psychology. 

Applicants who have not completed the prerequisite biblical foundation courses at Southern California Seminary are encouraged to take the following courses concurrently with their doctoral courses.  

Biblical Foundations - 18 units

BC-501 Theological Foundations of Counseling
CE-508 Inductive Bible Study
PM-511 Spiritual Disciplines
TH-503 Bibliology/Hermeneutics
TH-507 Crucial Issues in Ministry
TH-612 Theology II: Anthropology, Hamartiology, Soteriology

Note: The Board of Psychology requires specific additional academic training for those applying for licensure as a psychologist. These courses are incorporated in the Division of Behavioral Sciences curriculum as educational requirements for the Master’s of Arts in Counseling Psychology (MACP) degree. Doctoral students who have not completed the following requirements will be advised to enroll in these courses concurrently with their doctoral studies if they desire to apply for licensure.

Specific Training for Licensure Preparation–8 units

CO-613 Ethics of Sexual Care and Human Sexuality (1 unit)
CO-614 Alcohol and Substance Abuse (3 units)
CO-615 Child, Spousal, and Partner Abuse (2 unit)
CO-620 Dependent Adult and Elder Care and Aging (2 units)